I think I found the problem, it looks like the throttle cable is behind the tranny linkage and it may be stopping the tranny linkage from moving to the rear so it can do it's job. So I re-routed the throttle cable to be in front of the tranny linkage.
I also extended the slot on the tranny linkage (drilled a hole at the end of the slot, then used a dremel tool to bring the slot and the hole together creating a longer slot) where it bolts to the throttle linkage/bracket, so I also adjusted the tranny linkage back a hair.....
I'm going for a test drive, I can stop at the grocery store and get some Vodka while I test drive the new linkage set up!